Chimney block



y 1953 L. v. PARSONS 2,646,

CHIMNEY BLOCK Filed April 2, 1951 2 sheets-sheet l INVENTOR. LLOYD 7 57? 50m:

July 28, 1953 1.. v, PARSONS CHIMNEY BLOCK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 2, 1951 INVENTOR. Jon/6 M M m 0 L A Patented July 28, 1953 Lloyd V. Parsons, Seattle, Wash.

Application April 2, 1951, Serial No. 218,876

This invention relates to improvements in chimneys of those general forms of construction 2 Claims. (Cl. 98-78) used in residences for the conduction of smoke and gases from furnaces, stoves, fireplaces and the like and also applicable to factory stacks and chimneys; the invention having reference more particularly to a chimney top or topping block.

It is the principal object of the invention to provide a. chimney top or block designed for application to the top end of a chimney as a means of overcoming that downdraft and downward acting air pressure in the chimney that is usually created by wind or air currents and which is detrimental to proper and efficient operation of the stove, fireplace or furnace that is accommodated by the chimney.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a chimney topping block that will, in the event of a wind blowing past or across the chimney top, induce an updraft in the chimney flue instead of causin a downdraft or retarding pressure therein.

More specifically stated, the present invention resides in the provision of a chimney topping block with a passage leading upwardly therethrough and which block has its side walls formed with openings leading inwardly and upwardly into the block passage, and there being a bafile suspended in the block passage in a manner and at such a location that wind or cross currents or air will be checked or deflected through the block in a manner that will induce an upward draft in the chimney flue.

Further, it is an object to so construct baffles and to so dispose them in the block flue that any downdraft entering thetop of the chimney will be deflected outwardly through the wall passages.

Still further objects of the invention reside in the details of construction and combination of parts employed'in the construction of the present block, both in its preferred form and in alternative forms of constructions.

In accomplishing these and other objects of tures of the'present invention therein, as applied to a chimney. V r

'Fig. 2 is a vertical, cross-section of the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a baflle designed for use in the present chimney block, and like that used'inthe block shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-section of the chimney block'of the present invention, equipped with a baifle of an alternative form of construction.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the bafile which is shown in the chimney block of Fig. 4.

s Fig. 6 is a plan, or top view of the present chimney block as equipped with a bafiie of still another form of construction.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the baffle used in the block shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a closure bafile or plate for the top end of the chimney block.

Referring more in detail to the drawings- Chimney topping blocks of the present kind may be made in various sizes, determined by the dimensions of the chimneys to which they are to be applied. In the present illustrations, and

more particularly as understood by reference to Fig. 6, the topping block is made for application to a chimney that, in plan, is rectangular but not square. However, whether square or rectangular in the proportionate dimensions shown, or other proportionate dimensions, the construction of the block and its mode of use would be substantially the same as that shown.

It is also to be explained that while the present chimney topping block can be made as a single piece, it is preferred that it be cast of cement in two or more sections to facilitate the molding operation and withdrawal of parts from the molds.

In its present preferred form of construction, the topping block, which is designated in its entirety by reference numeral l0 comprises a base section Illa and a top section lb. The base section is of rectangular form in plan or in its horizontal dimensions and these correspond to the outside dimensions of the chimney on which it is to be disposed. In Figs. 1 and 2 the upper end portion of a chimney is designated at H and the flue or passage therein'is designated at I2. The topping block I0 is mounted in the usual mortar joint I3 on the top end of the chimney as seen in Fig. 2.

The base section Illa of the block is formed with a passage l5 vertically therethrough to provide an upward continuation of the chimney flue passage; this passage l5 being somewhat tapered in an upward direction and it is to be observed byreference to Fig. 2 that the chimney flue passage is of lesser width than the lower end of the passage l5, thereby providing an enlarged chamber in the block as a gas collecting space.

The upper section lllb of the block has a central passage I6 leading upwardly therethrough.

as a continuation of the passage 15. Passage I6 has vertical side walls from its lower end to above the center of the section and there the passage is outwardly flared as at Hi, to its upper end. The outer surface as at I! and I8 is beveled or curved for a specific purpose which will hereinafter be pointed out.

In the showing in Fig. 2, the side surfaces of the passage it are curved. In the showin 1n Fig. 4, they are flat surface. The formation of these surfaces is more or less a matter of choice. However, it is quite desirable that the upper end of passage [6 be iiared as is herein shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

The block section 5511 is mounted upon section la in a mortar joint, as at 29. When the block sections are thus assembled on the chimney, the block provides, in effect, an upward continuation of the chimney and its line or passage.

sonnesninis opposite sidewalls of the block aswe'll shown in Fig. are inwardly and upwhen directed air passages 25. These are of substantial siz'e' and of rectangular form as undesrtood by "their outer end showing in Fig. 1. Also, ejachpass'age has its top. surface upwardly inclined at a steeper angle than the lower surface so that the passages'are' inwardly and upwardly flared. These passages preferably are formed in all four walls of the block and are directly capes-ray disposed'in its opposite walls.

' Suspended in the passage it"; of the upper section of the block, is a baifie 23. Asseen in Fig. 3,,the halite comprises a cast piece of cement, of pyramid 'forin. Its base dimensions are just slig'htlylessthan the corresponding dimensions of the passagein which it is suspended. Ihe blcck'is suspended by mea'ng'of hanger rods 39 embedded therein "at itsfour corners. The upper end portions of the rods are outwardly bent, as at 33st tofholdingly engage the, outwardly sloping's'urfacesof the block passage 16 as seen in Fig. Z-ZY'The' position of suspension of the loaiTle 23 is about'mid'way of the inner ends of the passage 25. Thus air currents directed down the passage indicated by the direction arrows 31, in Fig. 2, curse diverted by the inclined top surfaces of. the block, out through passage or passages oppositetho'se at the side from which thew'ind'is blowing. This deflection of air creates a suction, or updraft through the chimney ins'teall'offorcingiaifdownwardly therein. 7

names usedin the block passage can be made in various forms such, for example, as those shown'inFigs. Sand 7. The device ofFig. isof metal and coinprises'. opposite end plates 34 34, in parallel, vertical relationship and held rigidly iii spseearenetnsmp a plurality of cross-,,

louvers 35 arranged as best shown in Fig. 4. The opposite nd'plates are formed. with outwardly directed flanges 36 across their upper edges adapted to engage against the outwardly sloping walls'of the upwardly diverging portion of the block passage is for functional support of the baifle. plates atross their-lower edges to divert down flowing air" currents laterally, to the side passages,'a nd prevent downflow in the chimney. The louyers 535; are arranged in spaced relationship a'cov'eand at opposite sides of the bafiie 38 and are downwardlyand outwardly inclined, thus to divert down flowing, airin a lateral direction as has heen indicated by the direction arrowsv in Fig. 4.

Thebaiiie plate 4!] shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is designedforsupport horizontally in the upper end A ridge shaped baflie 38 joins the end.

4 of passage 16 to stop any down flow of air currents directed into the upper end of this passage. The bafiie comprises a flat plate with semi-circular recesses it along its edges permitting relief of pressure of gases rising through the block, yet without permitting down pressing air currents to enter to any detrimental extent.

The baffle plate of Fig. 8 is used like that in Fig. 6, but is designed to fully close the upper end of the passage it. All bafiies shown are easily. and readily removable from the block by lifting them upwardly therefrom.

By reference to Figs. 1 and 2 it will he noted that exterior of the upper end of section Nib is formed with the outwardly projecting concave surfaces H and.- it which extend completely about the block. In Fig. 4 I have illustrated a modified form which is found to be equally satisfactory. In this forrn the surface Ho and l8a extend angularly from the main portion of the block." The. purpose of the outwardly extending rim is to provide a deflecting means for breaking up the air which strikes against the side of the block. Instead of causing a downward pressure in the chimney the diverted air currents induce an upward flow of; air from the heating unit thereby removing pressures that may exist.

Assuming the chimney blocl; to be so con; structed and applied to the chirnney it will be understood to afford the following advantages: All down draft caused by wind blowing into the upper end of the chimney will be eliminated, and by reason of the use of the present hafileblocl; in the relationship to the block passages asshown, will induce an updraft in the flue. This results in better. burning in the stove, furnace or fire; place which is served by the chimney. Also, it removes the possibility of explosions from: the ignition gases which often collect a chimney. further advantage of employing a chimney block on the top of the chimney is that it per nuts the heightof the chimney to be reduced. To eliminte clown drafts and pressures in a chi hey, it is common practice to. extend. the height of the chimney above the roof or other objects. which obstruct the. free fiow of air. This raises the chimney opening above the turbulent air con-i. ditions that may be created by such obstruction. However, with. my chimney block, such additional: cost construction is not required becauseof the means which it provides for overcoming the down drafts or pressures within the chimney; Further. the reduced height of the chimneyen hances theappearanceof the building.

Having thus described, my. invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Let-f ters Patent is: a 1. A cast concrete chimney block of the char: acter described adapted to be mountedon the. top. of a. hi and warm n a h s ce and? a top section disposed on the base section; thev base section being formed with an upwardly tapered flue passage adapted to register with the chimney flue, and being substantially; larger. at, its w sea en he h mne fl and su stantially of the same size at its upper. end; said, top. section being formed with a flu-e passage which is a continuation of the base section flueese a Whi h. has. he upper nd: p tion. thereof outwardly flared; opposite side. wallsv of," the h l c h n Pas a e Qbsn e hwardly therethrough into the. flue passage of; the block ar common'levcl, and. a b afile of pyramidz form removably suspendedin the; passage of the top section within the top and lower edge 5 limits of the open inner ends of the side wall passages to stop direct downward flow of air currents into the chimney flue.

2. A chimney block as in claim 1 wherein the top section is formed externally with an outwardly projecting rim to deflect air currents which strike the side walls of the block.

LLOYD V. PARSONS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 10 Number Name Date Houle Apr. 19, 1898 Le Beau Nov. 1'7, 1903 Warlick Oct. 31, 1905 Sokolik Aug. 1, 1950 Rhyner June 12, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain July 8, 1909 

